Facility Notes

New Miller Park Scoreboard Expected To Be
Ready In Time For Home Opener In April

In Milwaukee, Mark Kass reports construction crews "continue to make progress on installing the much-anticipated new scoreboard at Miller Park," and the project is "to be completed in time" for the Brewers' first game in April. The new scoreboard will be 5,940 square feet, compared to the current 3,728-square-foot one at Miller Park, making it the third largest in MLB. In addition, the scoreboard "will have 2.35 million pixels, as compared with the 133,624 pixels in the current scoreboard, giving it nearly 18 times better resolution" (BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MILWAUKEE, 12/31 issue).

WE CAN BUILD ON THIS! In Edmonton, Gordon Kent reported city planners "threw their support Thursday behind the Katz Group's proposal to rezone a section of downtown Edmonton land" for an entertainment complex that would include a new Oilers arena. Edmonton Planning & Development GM Gary Klassen said, "The recommendation is strictly for the zoning of the lands. This is not about the approval of a downtown arena at this time." The proposal could see "less parking required for the project, part of the city's overall desire to demand fewer stalls in downtown developments, and makes clear that the project must welcome pedestrians." The suggested "bylaw amendments, which will be discussed by city council at a January 18 public hearing, accommodate an arena, offices, homes, retail and other uses" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 12/31).

THE NEXT BEST THING: The Cowboys and the NFL have "created a stadium Super Bowl Tour that will allow individuals and groups to experience some of the Super Bowl fun." The Cowboys Stadium tours run from Jan. 24-Feb. 10, though "no tours will be allowed" from Feb. 4 until Super Bowl XLV kicks off two days later. Tickets are $40 per individual and $35 per person for groups of 20 or more (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 1/3).

IF YOU BUILD THEM...: A PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE editorial addressed the Steelers' desire to add seats at Heinz Field under the header, "Build More, But Spare Taxpayers The Bill For Parking." The Pittsburgh Stadium Authority last week, in "anticipation of a possible expansion" of Heinz Field seating, approved a $20,000 "study of the parking situation" at the facility. The editorial stated, "It's clear that the team would fund the new seats privately. It should be equally clear that taxpayer funds won't pay for more parking" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/3).